Classical Stories

Join us for 12 hours of non-stop musical magic - works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (January 27, 1756 - December 5, 1791) on his birthday!

3 to 4 pm

If you haven't heard of The Crossing chamber choir, here's the perfect opportunity to hear their gorgeous voices on WRTI. The highly acclaimed Philadelphia-based ensemble, directed by Donald Nally, is a 24-voice professional choir dedicated to performing contemporary and recently composed vocal music. Listen to the ensemble's inaugural broadcast on WRTI - you'll hear their magnificent Christmas Daybreak concert, recorded especially for broadcast.

Friday, December 16

Ludwig van Beethoven towers as one of history's greatest composers. He triumphed over a total loss of hearing to write some of the most heroic, uplifting music the world has ever known.

On December 16th from 6 am to 6 pm, tune in to hear your favorite works by Beethoven on his birthday, including the glorious Symphony No. 9 at noon, piano sonatas, violin sonatas, and less-frequently heard vocal and choral works, concertos, and overtures. It's "Lots of Ludwig" for 12 hours! Please join us.

Jim cotter speaks with soprano Michelle Johnson. The Academy of Vocal Arts Resident Artist is one of five Metropolitan Opera 2011 National Council Audition Grand Prize Winners.

Susan Lewis looks at opera at the Curtis Institute of Music. The storied Philadelphia conservatory, renowned for the number of great instrumentalists, composers, and conductors among its alums, has also produced many great singers.

Star Soprano Michelle Johnson--Opera at Curtis

More Information:

Competitions are such risky, uncertain adventures for young musicians. At every turn there are opportunities for stumbles, public fiascos, ego damage, even humiliation. The rules ensure that most of the terrific players who enter will fail to advance far enough to help their careers or make much of an impression. The best one can reasonably hope for is to play decently despite the many distractions, get a good write-up from a critic and maybe, just maybe, take home a prize, any prize.--from American Public Media

Join us from Saturday morning through Tuesday morning for non-stop fabulous music. You'll hear American works by Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, John Philip Sousa, and other favorites, and patriotic works honoring America's servicemen and women. Big Band music will have you swinging and singing through the holiday evenings and early-morning hours. Plus, a high school sophomore from Lansdale, PA is showcased on From the Top this Sunday. What a weekend!

Special Programming on Sunday Includes:

WRTI's Around the Town Ticket Giveaway is coming up! When you pledge on Wednesday, May 18th you'll automatically be entered to win multiple tickets to 15 fabulous Philadelphia area attractions. If you're the winner, you'll be entertained throughout the season with a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.

Enter the contest online at wrti.org, or call 1-866-809-9784 any time on May 18th. You don't have to pledge to enter the contest, but a contribution to WRTI is always appreciated. Good luck!

Hear a ravishing new kind of Irish music, courtesy of Donnacha Dennehy - a brilliant 40-year-old composer.--NPR

Read the full article and listen to tracks from the CD Gra Agus Bas here

Opera sensation Vittorio Grigolo is a man in demand. From the Met to La Scala, the finest opera houses around the world clamor to have his voice resound through their halls. He's one of the handful of rising tenors to have been touted as "the next Pavarotti."--NPR

Listen to the story and read article here

Saturday, April 2

5 to 6 pm

With hosts Kile Smith and Jack Moore

Two composers are born within two years of each other, and they both die in the same year. One is world-famous; the other is almost unknown. Join us as we explore works by Richard Wagner and Robert Volkmann - two composers who were opposites, yet had much in common.